Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that, receiving the highest state honour, the Order of the rule of Izzudeen represents the close ties between the two nations.

Modi's statement came during the joint press meet held at the President's Office on Saturday, after he was conferred with the honour.

Modi added that receiving the honour was not only a pride for him, but for the entirety of India as well. Modi further stressed that the close relations between the countries aid in providing assistance in various works between the countries.

He added that any assistance provided by India, will be beneficial to all Maldivians.

The highest state honour of Maldives was presented to Modi in recognition of the many services he has performed to cement the longstanding, amicable ties between the two countries, and for the magnanimous assistance that the Indian government has continued to provide the Maldives under Prime Minister Modi’s stewardship.

Several foreign dignitaries have received the Order of the rule of Izzudeen previously.

These include; the Duke of Edinburgh and Earl Mountbatten on March 15, 1972, Former President of South Korea, Chun Doo-Hwan on October 30, 1984, Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Shridath Ramphal on November 16, 1989.

In addition to this Saudi Crown Prince, Al-Waleed bin Talal was also presented the honour in 2009 as well as Palestinian President, Dr. Mahmood Abbas in 2013.